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Zeno~SPARTA~

1-Gerousia
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Everything posted by Zeno~SPARTA~

  1. The procedures for the C130 are impressive, When the engines are on low ground idle they dont generate enough to power the systems so the APU has to be kept on until ready to take off. The ramp needs a lot of hydraulics, so the pumps have to be turned on to pressurize the system to 3000 PSI (?) before the ramp will close. Sadly it still crashes every time I play it in the editor.
  2. After a long absence, I flew the easiest plane, the F18 and performed the easiest mission (at least a mission made easy by the HARM Missile), SEAD (Suppression Enemy Air Defences). In the past I could take out an SA10 Grumble site on my own with four HARMs. It was my favourite mission. I knew what I was doing and how to configure the plane and how to execute the mission. Today it all came back to me, I executed an economic climb to 31,000 feet, got to with 60 miles , got a lock, launched a missile and executed a 360 degree turn. But this time the AI launched 2 SA10 grumbles to intercept the HARM, and they did. This is new, in the past Naval SA10s always launched and often intercepted, but the ground SA10s did not. So when I completed my 360 and was back on target I launched the remaining 3 missiles with a short delay between them, they were all intercepted, but one did get close. Because I attacked from far away no missiles were launched against me. After the attack I navigated back to base using the TACAN and landed I have to find a new way to attack the missile site. Coming home a little later.
  3. Mr Halli, the Savage Axis 2 is available in France, it costs €650 , with the Weaver scope. At current exchange rates that is $788 (including tax), As usual far more expensive than the price in the US, I don't know the local tax rate in your state. But back to the HOTAS, for flight sims I use the X56, for space sims I use an Xbox Controller. I haven't played a lot of Star Citizen so a gamepad is probably inadequate.
  4. Custard if you want to fly choppers in Arma 3 you should check out Bohemias Take on Helicopters, it has a bunch of chopper tasks and the engine is similar (if not the same as) Arma. Anyway another free mod, the AH6J Littlebird. I have to admit that my first attempt at controlled flight was questionable to say the least, unflattering of my limited ability. It is a work in progress but it is flyable and is free. Now some "Free" aircraft use a plane is Flaming Cliffs 3 as their base but this does not appear to. I6t has some interior switchable controls and a few weapons. The damage model does not work yet and the textures are a bit simple especially inside. I kept oscillating horribly, it was not pleasant.
  5. Is that a Savage Axis XP, I cant find an XR. If BMUSHAL/Nukem58 are the same person and wants to fly in FS2020 we will have to organise a little flight together and if he is into flight Sims he should look into DCS as well.
  6. I have been practicing flying aircraft in DCS, I haven't relearnt how to use the weapons, but for now just flying around is enough. However I like variety and even though I have a reasonable amount of modules I like to try new planes. It turns out there are a few free mods, some are based on planes in the game but some do not seem to be. I have tried 4, some seem to be buggy resulting in a game crash but hopefully this will be fixed over time. 1 Douglas A4 Skyhawk The Skyhawk is a carrier capable light attack aircraft developed in the 50s for the US Marines, but was used by other air forces, notably the Argentinians. 2 Aeromacchi MB-339 The MB-339 is a jet trainer developed in the 70s for the Italian air force and was used by the Frecce Tricolore (their equivalent of the Red Arrows) 3 Dassault Rafale The Rafale is an omnirole aircraft, it is both land and carrier based, can deliver munitions to ground and sea targets, including nuclear weapons and is an agile fighter. Good looking as well! 4 Lockheed C130Hercules Everyone knows the Hercules, first flew in 1954 and still produced today, this workhorse flies for many countries including Great Britain. I first saw them when I went to RAF Odiham (then part of Transport command) when I was with the ATC around 1970. I am most excited to fly this in DCS, it is a work on progress but so far it has a working interior with a proper startup procedure, working doors and ramp. It can be configured as an AC130 as well. It will be capable of delivering vehicles and equipment as well as paratroopers. Thoughts and stability My game crashed when I exited the flight in the editor with the Rafale and the Hercules. but in flight they caused no issues. The Rafale's ground attack capability requires some core files to be edited, I did not want to do this so the plane is limited to air to air combat. Also the Rafale is very quick, it reaches its max airframe speed very early in the climb on full afterburner, I haven't noticed this in other planes including the SU27 or MIG29 which the mod uses as its base. The A4 is a beauty and seems to work well, plus I can imagine scenarios involving A4s and Harriers. But I am most looking forward to a fully working C130, sometimes you just want the slower pace of a transport plane!
  7. I have an idea to help Custard and Cent (or anyone) practice defending the centre in Battlebuddies2. Using the Fleischewolf (spelling?) single bridge map (an infinite res map) in PvP,. You would build up your defensive lines and when you are ready I could test your defence using agreed units and strength to simulate what you have seen in the game so far. Because of the infinite res we could test defences much quicker and repeatedly. Also I remember Nukem did not block the southern footbridge, instead adding tons of MG, Mortars and AT. By doing this it would draw infantry away from the centre, possibly giving more time to establish the defences.
  8. Finally the F16 can be loaded for bear!! Harms and Mavericks. Very different feeling with this heavy load.
  9. I have a lot of re learning to do!
  10. I have been re-acquainting myself with COH2, can't say I am any good, but I will have a bash if you are up for it.
  11. I used to work in Hong Kong from 1990 to 1994. Our offices were in Admiralty Centre then Pacific Place. Both locations had magnificent views of the harbour, Kowloon and Kai Tak airport, as well as the Naval docks. Kai Tak was closed in 1998, and was replaces by Chek Lap Kok on Lantau island. Even though I flew to HK after I moved to NY I only ever flew to Kai Tak. As I recall all my flights were in 747s or L1011s. In 1993 a China Airlines (Taiwanese national carrier) 747 400 attempted to land at Kai Tak, but made several mistakes and did not stop before the runway ended. The plane ended up in the sea, EVERYONE SURVIVED. I did not see the plane run into the sea, but did see the aftermath. The plane was 5 months old and was written off. Kai Tak was a uniquely dangerous airport and only the best pilots from each airline were allowed to land there. As a passenger you feel you can touch the buildings in Kowloon as the plane banks sharply to the right to line up with the runway. As I recall, all take off and landings were always seaward. The tail assembly of the jumbo obstructed the runway for departing aircraft, closing the airport, so it was blown off with explosives. The incident has been recreated in FSX with explanations of what went wrong. I came across it whilst perusing youtube. I have added another video of an actual landing. In the second video note the hill at 3:05 which is used as a marker for the turn and the PAPI lights at 3:55 perfect glide slope with 2 reds and 2 whites. FSX recreation Actual landing
  12. The beautiful Boeing 787 flying non stop from Bordeaux to Seattle 7.5 miles (12km) up, comfortably above the unpleasant weather below! It's amazing that a twin engine jet can fly across the Atlantic and the US at mach 0.9 without stopping. Its a shame to see the giants go, but its not surprising. The A380 can only land at certain airports and need special ground handling. The 747 is too thirsty for scheduled flights, but at least it can be converted to haul cargo, the A380 cannot be.
  13. I have been testing a couple of freeware mods for the A320, both are attempting to elevate the ingame plane to study level. So now many of the inop buttons and switches work, you have to align the ADIRS (the equivalent of the INS in DCS) you can see more info on sub systems, such as the APU and tyres etc. I have a payware A320 in FSX and this is getting close to the same level. There are also projects for the 747, 787 and the CJ4 business jet. This is what I particularly like about the flight sim community, instead of moaning about how a lot of functions dont work, they dig into the code and figure out how to make it function correctly. Well done Asobo/Microsoft for having the foresight to let them. Asobo continue to fix problems with the sim, there are plenty of bugs. but for the moment I can fly the planes I like without problems. To be clear the people working on upgrading the aircraft can add functionality and correct the way some instrument look. But Asobo have to fix core issues. But as I said they are working there way through the issues and they are listening to the community 3rd party developers have released many detailed cities and airports and are working on new aircraft, I am quite keen to get the old large piston engine aircraft such as the lockheed constellation and the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, or the turbo props such as the Vickers Vanguard, Bristol Britannia and the IL144, the fastest turboprop in the world. There were 100s of freeware planes in FSX, eventually it will be the same in FS2020.
  14. https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/changelog/ This an update that incorporates the changes from the open Beta. I am particularly happy that the F16 has been given Mavericks and HARMS, so now it can participate in ground based missions with the F18, however it is more thirsty and can carry less. There have been updates to all planes. and the engine. I will need to relearn how to fight the planes, but I am sure it will come back to me.
  15. Today I flew from Amsterdam (Schiphol EHAM) to Heathrow, KLM flight KL 1009 departing 10:04am. I programmed the FMS/MCDU from scratch, which was pleasing. Still have not got it down pat, but practice makes perfect. Apparently Schiphol is the busiest airport in europe. It was a bit cloudy and icy, it didn't help that I was slow turning on the anti ice. There was no ice on the windshield but I noticed my airspeed would drop to zero, this is a sure sign the pitot tubes are iced up. This is what it looked like from outside. If you are interested here is an amateur documentary about Schiphol ATC, its quite interesting.
  16. I have been familiarizing myself with the Airbus A320 systems. Commercial Airline flying is easy and difficult. The easy part is that once all the flight details are entered the plane can fly them on the autopilot. Because runways change based on wind direction you can only input the arrival/approach details when given them near the end of the flight. I flew a commercial route, Ryanair FR103 from Stansted to Shannon, departing at 9:05, the flight management system was updated with route info from the game. I handled all the radio comms as well as flying the plane. I was eventually handed over to Shannon approach and they gave me the approach details, "Runway24 ILS via the SHA transition", I updated the FMS to the appropriate runway but struggled to find the transition. I did manage to land but could not properly contact ground to get to a gate, so I shut down on the runway. So still lots to learn! A few Pics The route The Airbus A320 in its Ryanair livery The FMS, I like how the interior looks worn and lived in. The Autopilot panel If the autopilot is on it will follow the route in the FMS, if the altitude and speed are programmed into the FMS the autopilot will manage those as well. If not you manually set them. I prefer to set them manually as ATC tells the pilot when and how much to climb, I especially like to slow the plane down at the end to give me more time to prep for the landing. I have also been keeping my eye in DCS but only flying the planes not fighting them.
  17. Last Leg Buenos Aires to the Falklands. Early Departure from Buenos Aires in the Cessna Citation Longitude Arrival at the bleak Port Stanley, Falklands. I did not have the FAA required fuel reserve for the journey. I had to try different altitudes plus a long slow descent to eke out the fuel. In the image below there is insufficient fuel to keep the engines running so they have shut down. The overall route, I couldn't get all the legs in but it was over 6000 nautical Miles, I actually diverted to SFAL en route as SFTG was the wrong Airport.
  18. https://www.msfsaddons.org/freeware/nasa-kennedy-space-center
  19. Heading into Jose Maria Cordova Intl Airport (SKRG) in Colombia. More precisely Medellin, home of a business to which I have no affiliation. Colombia is also home to very tasty coffee and their best export, the magnificent Sofia Vergara. This a long flight from Managua (MNMG) so I am in a Cessna Citation CJ4 business jet, which can crack along a bit faster and higher than the TBM 930. This is the older plane in the game so it has a mixed cockpit, no touch screens, it took me a while to figure out how to tune the radios. OK made it into cartel country, although It was very cloudy and hilly. Good job I got decent vectors from the ATC. Next stop Galeao-Antonio C Jobim Intl (SBGL) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Due to the huge distance 2,500+ NM I will try the 747 for the first time. The 747 has a problem holding a fixed altitude, it oscillates about 600-800 feet, so I switched to the 787. 9 19 20 SKRG SBGL (Colombia to Brazil) 2566 NM Boeing 787 - check SBGL SBCT Still in Brazil 363 NM Cessna Citation Longtitude - check 9 20 20 SBCT SBPA Brazil 288 NM - check SBPA SAEZ Buenos Aires, Argentina 472 NM - check 9 21 20 SAEZ SFAL Stanley, Falkland Islands
  20. New epic flight - South America. Travels so far Miami to Cancun (Mexico) in a Boeing 787 Cancun to Toncontin (Honduras) IN a TBM 930 Today Toncontin to Managua MNMG (Panama) I will then have to make a choice of either flying to Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina or Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, french Guiana, Brazil, Argentina. Final stop The Falkland Islands. After which I will see if I can fly non stop to the UK.
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